Total Lawn Care - Fertilizing, Aeration, Weed Control

A Lush Green Lawn is only a phone call away

The Total Lawn Care Program
is designed to maintain your lawn's color and vigor and minimize weeds throughout the growing season. The applications are seasonally adjusted to your lawn's needs and are made about 5-6 weeks apart. Our trained lawn technicians will work with you to maintain the quality lawn you expect. Great lawns need continuous care. Our TLC applications do an excellent job when coupled with your good mowing and watering.

You are Part of the Team
You are as important to the success of the lawn as we are. Your good mowing and watering along with our TLC program means you're on your way to a greener, healthier lawn. With each TLC application, we leave information on what we did and what you need to do to give your lawn the TLC it needs.

SEASON

TREATMENT & OBJECTIVE

1. Spring Fertilization & Weed Control

Liquid fertilizer with nitroge, potash and sulfer to stimulate growth and deepen turf color. Pre-emergent for crabgrass and broadleaf weed control for dandelions and other broadleaf weeds.

2. Early Summer Fertilization & Weed Control

Liquid phosphorus free fertilizer to thicken turf and maintain color. Broadleaf weed control for dandelions and other broadleaf weeds.

3. Mid-Summer Fertilization & Weed Control

Granular slow release fertilizer to help turf through the hot, often stressful part of summer. Broadleaf weed control for tough summer weeds.

4. Fall Fertilization & Weed Control

Liquid fertilizer high in nitrogen and potash to promote root development. Broadleaf weed control for dandelions and other broadleaf weeds.

5. Late Fall Fertilization & Weed Control

Granular fertilizer to help turf over winter and get off to a quick start in the following spring.

CORE AERATION

Core aeration significantly improves the health and performance of turf grasses and should be done on a regular basis. As a rule, sodded lawns need aeration more often that seeded lawns. We recommend annual aeration for sodded lawns. Seeded lawns should be aerated about every other year. Aeration is done with a machines that removes half inch diameter plugs of thatch and soil. The soil in the plugs will get wattered back into your lawn allowing soil microorganisms to decompose thatch. Like tilling a garden, it turns over the soil. This allows water, oxygen and nutrients to reach the root zone more easily and also reduces compaction and thatch, which helps minimize disease.

Homeowners Guidelines to Mowing and Watering

Looking At Your Lawn

MOWING

Grass Type:: Most lawns have several different varieties of grasses. A blend gives a broader spectrum of disease resistance, but different varieties have different color potential.
Soil type:: Central Minnesota soils are high in phosphorus, consequently we use no phosphorus.
Turf Density:: Thick healthy turf discourages crabgrass and other weeds from germinating. Thin lawns need time and proper care to reach their potential. Sometimes reseeding is needed - fall is the best time to seed.
Thatch:: Thatch is the layer of living and dead roots above the soil. Too much thatch restricts water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the roots in the soil. Core Aeration on a regular basis is an excellent way to manage thatch.
Shade:: Certain varieties do better than others in shaded areas, but it's always harder to grow dense turf in heavily shaded areas. Trimming the trees to allow more light is sometimes necessary.
Insects:: Thousands of insects live in your lawn, most of them beneficial. Turf feeding insects can kill turfgrass if there are enough of them. We offer insect control if needed.
Fertility:: Nitrogen is the nutrient that gives turf a dark green color. Nitrogen must be replaced several times a year (3 - 5), to maintain color because it is not held by the soil like phosphorus and potassium.
Weeds:: New weeds germinate throughout the season and need to be treated several times to maintain a weed free lawn. We guarantee at least 75% broadleaf weed control each spraying. Quack grass is not selectively controllable in turf.

1. Mow at 2 1/2 -3 inches.: Cutting too low can cause grass to turn brown during hot, dry periods. It also allows crabgrass and other weeds to germinate.
2. Sharpen mower blade often.: At least once a month. A dull mower blade tears the grass blades, causing stress to your lawn.
3. Mow often.: A rule of thumb is not to cut more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. It's important to mow often - especially when leaving clippings lay.
4. Don't mow in hot, dry weather.: If your lawn is drying out, water it and allow time for it to recover before mowing or do not mow at all. Tall and green is better than short and brown.

WATERING

How Much:: In cool weather, about 1" of total moisture per week. In hot weather, about 2" per week.
How Often:: If conditions allow, it's best to water thoroughly once or twice a week. If your lawn is drying out in a day or two, you can water daily, but not to the point of saturation. As you increase the frequency, decrease the volume.
When:: Watering can be done anytime other than late evening. Water early enough for the grass to dry before nightfall. If the grass is wet at nightfall, it stays wet all night, which can promote fungal diseases.